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Carlo Tavecchio elected Italian football president despite racism row Carlo Tavecchio elected Italian football president despite racism row
(7 days later)
Carlo Tavecchio has been elected the new president of the Italian Football Federation, replacing Giancarlo Abete.Carlo Tavecchio has been elected the new president of the Italian Football Federation, replacing Giancarlo Abete.
Despite allegations of racism marring his electoral campaign, Tavecchio beat Demetrio Albertini by a majority vote.Despite allegations of racism marring his electoral campaign, Tavecchio beat Demetrio Albertini by a majority vote.
The 71-year-old Tavecchio won with 63.63% of the votes in the third round of balloting. Albertini received 33.95% of the votes cast by the 274 delegates present.The 71-year-old Tavecchio won with 63.63% of the votes in the third round of balloting. Albertini received 33.95% of the votes cast by the 274 delegates present.
Tavecchio had been the outstanding favourite before he sparked outrage recently when he discussed the presence of foreign players in Italy. He invited heavy criticism by allegedly making a racist comment about African players “eating bananas” during an address to a summer assembly of Italy’s amateur leagues.Tavecchio had been the outstanding favourite before he sparked outrage recently when he discussed the presence of foreign players in Italy. He invited heavy criticism by allegedly making a racist comment about African players “eating bananas” during an address to a summer assembly of Italy’s amateur leagues.
Several leading clubs withdrew support for the amateur leagues president, who originally had the backing of all Serie A teams apart from Juventus and Roma. Several leading clubs withdrew support for the amateur leagues president, who originally had the backing of all Serie A teams apart from Juventus and Roma.
Abete resigned, along with the national team coach, Cesare Prandelli, immediately after Italy’s first-round elimination from the World Cup in Brazil.Abete resigned, along with the national team coach, Cesare Prandelli, immediately after Italy’s first-round elimination from the World Cup in Brazil.
The influx of foreign players has been a hot topic since, and Tavecchio suggested Italy should replicate England’s stringent requirements for non-EU players.The influx of foreign players has been a hot topic since, and Tavecchio suggested Italy should replicate England’s stringent requirements for non-EU players.
“In England, they identify the players coming in and if they are professional, they are allowed to play,” Tavecchio said at the summer assembly of Italy’s amateur leagues. “Here instead we get Opti Pobà, who previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first-team player with Lazio. That’s how it is here. In England, you need to demonstrate what you have on your CV and your pedigree.”“In England, they identify the players coming in and if they are professional, they are allowed to play,” Tavecchio said at the summer assembly of Italy’s amateur leagues. “Here instead we get Opti Pobà, who previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first-team player with Lazio. That’s how it is here. In England, you need to demonstrate what you have on your CV and your pedigree.”
Questioned about the comments afterwards, Tavecchio claimed that he could not remember what he had said in his speech. Questioned about the comments afterwards, Tavecchio claimed that he could not remember what he had said in his speech.
“I can’t remember if I said the word ‘banana’ but I was referring to the CV and professionalism required by English football for players who come from Africa or other countries,” he said. “If anyone has interpreted my speech as offensive, I offer my apologies.”“I can’t remember if I said the word ‘banana’ but I was referring to the CV and professionalism required by English football for players who come from Africa or other countries,” he said. “If anyone has interpreted my speech as offensive, I offer my apologies.”
Following his election Tavecchio pledged to prove his doubters wrong. He told FIGC.it: “I will be a president for everybody, and especially for those who have legitimately expressed their dissent about me taking the job.Following his election Tavecchio pledged to prove his doubters wrong. He told FIGC.it: “I will be a president for everybody, and especially for those who have legitimately expressed their dissent about me taking the job.
“I wish to thank those who have confirmed their confidence in me and who have made me feel supported even during some difficult times.“I wish to thank those who have confirmed their confidence in me and who have made me feel supported even during some difficult times.
“Reforming the system can only be done if we work together, there are no magic wands. Let us embrace a culture of hard work. I invite all members to abandon feelings of division and to get to work.”“Reforming the system can only be done if we work together, there are no magic wands. Let us embrace a culture of hard work. I invite all members to abandon feelings of division and to get to work.”
Among his first tasks will be selecting a new head coach for the Italian national team. The former Juventus coach Antonio Conte and former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini are reportedly leading the race to replace Prandelli.Among his first tasks will be selecting a new head coach for the Italian national team. The former Juventus coach Antonio Conte and former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini are reportedly leading the race to replace Prandelli.